FBCJacksonville Blog

Ellie Waldron, a member of FBC for more than 20 years, will be leading a new class for widows called the Journey Class.  God has been preparing her heart and life for many years and has called her to minister to the widows in the church and around the Jacksonville community.   Waldron have been widowed twice in her lifetime and is well-acquainted with the special needs of women who have lost their husbands through death.  She believes there is a tremendous need for a ministry to widows of all ages, having lost a spouse early in adult life and then again only two years ago.

In 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 Paul tells us that God comforts us in our trials and pain so that we, in turn, can comfort others with the same comfort we receive from Him.  This does not mean that we can only minister to those with like circumstances, but it does mean that when we experience the same trials and pain, we are better equipped to understand and empathize with their circumstances.  We believe this ministry with God’s healing touch will help widows find the answers they seek – together.

Be on the lookout for more information about a fellowship for widows in the coming days. If you are interested in this class, please contact womensministry@fbcjax.com for more information or call 904.366.1242.

For months now we have watched the subtle changes taking place around us Sunday by Sunday.  In just a few weeks, our Senior Adults will be moving into new classrooms.  Over the years, they have watched others get new rooms, facilities, equipment, while they have given faithfully to support the ministry that made that possible.  Now our precious senior members are going to be on the receiving end and it is a joy to see that happen.

We have been able to pay for all of the renovations that have been done up to this point and for that, we give thanks to the Lord and rejoice.  Now comes the time to do the final one-third of the work and payment will be due.  We need one million dollars to complete the work which should be finished by late December – just in time for the New Year.

This coming Sunday, we will take a special offering to finish the renovations in the auditorium.  I am asking that you be in prayer daily about this, and hope that you plan to be a part of meeting this need.  I am confident in our Lord that He who began a good work, will be faithful to complete.  All of us have an opportunity to be a part of what God is doing at First Baptist Jacksonville.

Paul writes to the Corinthians and states that “Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” The word used here is one that speaks of predetermination.  In other words, God does not want us to give carelessly or casually but with great thought and planning.

At the same time Paul says that giving should never be done remorsefully, with regret or reluctance.  He states, “God loves a cheerful giver.” Let me quote a rather well-known theologian at this point:

God loves the world in a general sense (John 3:16), but He has a deeper, more wonderful love for His own (John 13:1; 1 John 4:16), and a special love for each one of His who gives cheerfully. – John MacArthur

I am calling us, as a church, to be in prayer over these next few days about what God would have each one of us to do – and then for us to do it cheerfully.

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday with God’s word in one hand, and an envelope in the other.

Pastor Mac Brunson

If you need an envelope on Sunday, please see one of the ushers and they can provide that for you. You may also give using our online form, and notate “Special Auditorium Renovations” as the fund.

Have you ever wondered or thought to yourself, “Will I ever get these children raised?” or “What in the world am I going to do about my child and this or that situation?” or “Who can I talk to about being a mom?” or “Will I ever get to sleep again?”   If you have, then Mom to Mom is for you!

What is Mom to Mom?  Mom to Mom is a biblically-based parenting program designed around the Titus 2:4 concept of older women teaching and encouraging younger women in their relationship with their husbands and children.  Through small group interaction led by “Titus 2” leaders, growth occurs not only in their parental skills, but also as women, intellectually, relationally and spiritually.

The Mom to Mom objective is to adhere to the instruction given in Titus 2:3-4 and offer excellent, biblically-based instruction in parenting.  It provides a venue for older women to fulfill their call to teach the younger women.  It also provides an opportunity for less experienced mothers to interact with more experienced mothers (or Titus 2 leaders) who can serve as role models, share their wisdom and offer biblical guidance.  We also provide opportunity for interaction with other women experiencing similar struggles, challenges and joys in parenting.

Our goal is to create a safe place for both churched and un-churched women to evaluate the spiritual foundations of their families and to provide a potential “bridge” into the church.  We also desire to infuse into younger mothers encouragement, enthusiasm, and greater effectiveness in their roles as wives and mothers.   Our greatest hope is that we would stimulate one another to grow in our walk with God.

We have just started our second year of Mom to Mom and we meet each Tuesday mornings from 9:30 – 11:30 on the 6^th floor of the Administration Building at our Downtown Campus.  We have a great group of moms coming each week and each week we have new moms join us, so please come and visit us and see if Mom to Mom is for you! For more information, click here.

Children are everywhere. Just about wherever we look, children are there. This does not simply mean we must watch where we step and what we say. Through His word, God has given the Church a weighty responsibility for children. Even if you don’t have children of your own, you have an important role to play. The Apostle Paul carefully nurtured his spiritual son Timothy. James’ readers were exhorted to “look after orphans.” Christian parents in Ephesus were charged with bringing up their children in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Considering the great responsibility we have in the lives of children, the ministries of FBC JAX are able to assist you in this with an upcoming Parenting Conference that is not just for parents, but grandparents, too!

As bookshelves are flooded with a myriad of books promoting various approaches and philosophies for parenting, it is essential that every Christian grow in God’s plan for parenting. This conference is also an incredible help to anyone who teaches or works with children, middle school, or high school students in the church.

The 2010 Parenting Conference will help you grow by teaching you:

*The Biblical Model for Christian Parenting
*The Biblical View of Children
*How to Cultivate a Godward Orientation in Children.
*Biblical Truths for Ministering to Youth During the Difficult Teen Years
*God’s Instructions for Discipline in the Home
*How to Lead Children in Family Worship

Register now for the 2010 Parenting Conference at FBC JAX or click here for more information.

Speaker: Lou Priolo
When: October 15-16
Where: Ruth Lindsay Auditorium
Cost: $30/couple; $20/individual
Included: All materials and boxed lunch

Pastor & Debbie will lead a group on a tour of the Holy Land February 27-March 11, 2011. This will be an incredible experience you will never forget!

See the hillsides where Jesus delivered the Beatitudes; sail on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus taught and walked; sit on the slopes of Mount Hermon where Jesus was transfigured and enjoy the beauty of the Holy Land. On this journey, you will travel to Jerusalem and see the city that God said He placed in the midst of the nations.  It was the city that David took and where Solomon built one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the temple of God.  Just outside the walls of this city, our Lord was crucified and resurrected.  Then if you choose, you can travel to Rome, known as the eternal city.  These two cities, of all the cities in the earth, stood opposite one another during the days of our Lord’s earthly ministry.  It was the city where Paul and Peter were executed; where Caesar ruled; and the city Nero burned and rebuilt.

“Nothing in your Christian walk will have a greater impact on your life than a trip to the Holy Land.  Journey with us to Israel as we follow the steps of our Lord and see how the stories in the Bible come to life.” – Debbie Brunson

If you are interested in this trip, please download a schedule & registration form.

On Friday night September 17,  the 400-voice Florida Worship Choir & Orchestra will lead an evening of praise and worship in the Main Auditorium at 7:00p.m.  This group of music ministers and their wives will be led by Terry Williams, Director of Music and Worship for the Florida Baptist Convention. Williams passion is to see the glory of God revealed in times of private & public worship; so much so that revival and spiritual renewal will take place throughout all 2800 of our Florida Baptist churches.

You have never heard worship like this as 400 trained musicians lift their voices and instruments as they present praise to the Saviour through the program ”God of the Ages.” This is open to the general public and everyone is welcome to join in worship with us. Admission and parking are free! (No childcare is provided.) Please click here to download the full flyer on this event.